Class News

John Marshall Lee '64 writes an original Psalm every month

Fifty-five years ago, Dan Berman '64 and John Lee '64 competed in the Trumbull Beer 'N Bike Races (see story). Recently, Dan told our Class Secretary that John has been writing an original Psalm every month (perhaps to atone?).

Seriously, this is a classical literary format. John emailed: “For over seven years I have written a Psalm as part of spiritual direction activity on a monthly basis. Sending you three of the most recent to provide a flavor. Peace and health.”

Here are three of John's Psalms.

PSALM LXXXIII

March 4, 2019

Do I lay down each night on a new couch to get myself through this darkness? Is the absence of my spouse in our bed after many decades so sore that to hear him make one more choking breath would seem relief to me? I lived my role as caretaker of many well though not necessarily for me. And when I tried to rise from the blankets, half my body did not respond and I fell to the floor to be later discovered.

My world has changed profoundly. Who cares for me? Who joins me in lamenting my losses? Where shall a widow look to trust and be comforted? Am I a different person? Shall I be loved and attended to? From which direction shall I turn? And to which?

Where shall I find the light and warmth of the past? While my body aches at times, my mind is in turmoil constantly. There are kind people around me but they are paid to work with me. It has not been my way to depend upon others. But I am too infirm and weak at this moment not to depend upon them.

Can I try to thank them, for they do make a difference to me? Will they forgive the state I find myself in? I have been a lovable and capable person for so many years and now ... how to continue? And why? Where do re-discover the wisdom that was resident in my soul daily? Where do I learn patience with myself, with others, and with You also, Lord and Maker? How do I come to the peace that is Yours to provide? Amen.

John Marshall Lee Copyright, 2019

PSALM LXXXIV

April 23, 2019

Hearken, my sisters and brothers!! Can you hear my words? Do you fully comprehend their meaning in spirit? Will they have effect in your daily actions? Do you understand their source and why they are offered to you?

Most of us have a voice but how frequently is it used in service to others? A voice that sings like an angel and entertains? A voice that provides a personal lullaby to a tiny infant? A voice to indict or defend in a court of law or that renders a time changing decision for one who is charged? A voice that is provided a solitary place for half of the next 25 years to talk to oneself and listen to the words of others only printed on paper from all times and nations? And what voice leaves that cell in mid-life? What is its direction?

Lifetimes in print, revealed line by line, reviewed slowly with much time to comprehend, to compare and contrast, to struggle with questions of all kinds from all periods. Was it “love of power” or attraction to what seemed strong and powerful in the first place that brought me to this place? Was the power tempered to the occasion in fairness and justice? Were other alternatives considered? Suffering “abuse of power”, how did it seem?

When was the “power of love” demonstrated in such ways that my spirit grew calmer and my manner more patient in the marketplace? Where is the path of justice and fairness, of compassion and mercy when one finds he is both strong and loving? Thank you for placing people in my life and times that mark the way of pursuing Your truth. Provide me with courage and the skills to pursue those who live separated from You and the rest of their family. Have I ever suffered an “abuse of love”?

Let the power and rhythm of the words I utter bring my fellows to this path, I pray. Help me to hearken to other stories that have the power to move souls to new and caring paths and journeys that delight and fulfill. May the stories relayed and related indicate that the “power of love” joins rather than divides us? That is a blessing. It is good. Amen.

PSALM LXXXV

May 5, 2019

Lord, thank You for this spring. I am a grateful witness to the masses of multicolored tulips on the land. We are told: 200,000 were fall planted in the city. The weather was cold enough. Then as the sun shown a little longer each day and winter moved to spring, some greenery coaxed from the warming earth appeared above ground. It was a contrast to the yet raw soil of last year’s garden, a cemetery of dead beauty and color. And rains, as are happening today continued to provide the hydration at all soil levels to keep stronger movement from each bulb’s energy core moving towards the sun. You provide the lesson of Your design annually.

Winds were present and tossed the young plants about as they gradually presented. Some snow came and went. Rains beaded on the leaves as weekly growth continued. The upward movement prevailed. And the first tiny spring flowers witnessed in turn their own blossom and wilting in white dress. But the daffodil and narcissus danced in their varied yellow and white blossom bonnets and waved gently to us for a couple weeks as the hints of diverse colors from tulips took their place.

And the birds returned and their singing and flight filled the air with the joy of life in this place and at this time. It is not always such but it is in this present and we are grateful for this natural gift that renews each year with relatively slight effort on our part. As we have come to observe the flow of life: appearance, growth, weakening and death on the land, You have provided us with a very basic lesson as to the way this world works. You have also helped many of us to learn what we can do to assist the growth and nurture of other living things as stewards of life. You have tasked us with loving and caring for the growth of fellow spiritual beings in their human existence during life.

While we can admire the design, freshness, and sometime even the aroma of a single flowering plant, when presented with masses larger than the total persons in the city, we are offered a look at the immensity of Your creative powers and the love You share with us in our lifetimes.

Each day we can see and know what is good and special in nature’s opening to us through each season. And we can continue to learn, and perhaps join with others just as the tulips are massed, in a human choir of people of diverse colors, ages, and stature but each using a grateful voice to sound a spring hymn glorifying You for all of these special times. Amen.